Introduction:
With the exciting introduction of the Performance Tuned fishing reels just last
year, Quantum has been moving in the right direction by bringing Anglers high
performing and reliable products with a good balance of value. For 2003 Quantum releases a new Catalyst PTi
spinning reel that exhibits the same award winning characteristics of its larger
sibling in a new size that is perfect for panfish and trout.

Impressions: When I mentioned that the Catalyst
PTi displayed award winning characteristics, I was not kidding. In May of
this year TackleTour awarded the first Catalyst
PTi(CT20PTi) our Editor's Choice Award for a superb reel that has an
outstanding combination of performance, features, price, and a rugged
construction. With the first look at an early prototype of the new CT10PTi
that's due on the store
shelves for 2003, this new Catalyst PTi entry continues to impress me.

Quantum's
new Catalyst PTi in the ultralight size is durable and small enough to take to
places like this... far in the backcountry

The
Catalyst PTi in the 10 size comes in a smaller package than it's siblings. This ultralight reel has
the same great looks and utilizes advanced designs that make
this spinning reel a true performer. The TiMAG II system is like no other
and is a revolutionary feature that adds to the Performance Tuned name even
further.

Complete Rig for
Catalyst PTi Tests

Rod

St.
Croix Premier Traveler (PS60L4)

Reel

Quantum Catalyst PTi (CT10PTi)

Line

2
lb. Maxima Perfexion

Real
World Tests: Being an ultralight reel, the Catalyst PTi makes a great
fishing reel for trout of all sizes, panfish, and other applications where a
smaller sized is called for. Throughout the Summer and early Fall seasons
I tested the Quantum CT10PTi throughout many trips backpacking in Yosemite
National Park and while hunting for hard hitting trout in the Eastern Sierras.
Each trip presented new applications in which to test this spinning reel inside
and out. Here are the finds:

Taken
apart for a regular maintenance after a hard working season on the field

The Bail: A unique feature that sets the Quantum
Catalyst PTi apart from its competition is the titanium bail. This Nickel
Titanium bail showed good strength and durability throughout my backpacking
trips. The reel was jammed into my backpack without any protection
whatsoever, dropped on gravel, pebbles, and granite while delicately unhooking
and releasing beautiful trout, but still no weakness nor warping appeared. As
with our previous tests of the CT20PTi, the bail always returned to proper shape
regardless of abuse. You won't have to worry about breaking nor bending your bail wire
with Quantum's TiMAG II system.

Part
of the TiMAG II system, the Nickel Titanium bail wire has incredible
strength. After taking much beating on many backpacking trips, the bail
wire is still perfect

Casting:Casting with the Catalyst PTi was a real pleasure
thanks to not just the lightweight of this reel, but also to Quantum's MaxCast
Longstroke aluminum spool that has a smooth angular lip. The spool is also
wider in diameter which plays a critical role in reducing the number of
times the fishing line would have to revolve around, and in turn reduces line
memory and enhances the casting ability. Interestingly this reel did not exhibit
a single line twist incident, even when casting the thinnest 2lb lines during
casting tests. Other reels in similar tests were not as reliable, and our
editors found themselves wasting a lot of time either working out twists or
cutting line in frustration.

The
Performance Tuned Catalyst casts nicely thanks to the MaxCast Longstroke
spool. Targeting rainbow trout at the base of the fall from afar is no
problem

When
matched with the right rod and line, the balance and overall feel is silky
smooth. Being able to cast small mini jigs and inline spinners becomes
nearly effortless with the Catalyst PTi.

Retrieving: "This is pretty damn smooth!," exclaimed Vador,
one of TackleTour's Editors, as he tested the Catalyst on one of our many
trips to Yosemite this year. I explained the details on why this spinning
reel is so smooth. The Catalyst PTi utilizes 8 polymer-stainless hybrid
bearings coated with Quantum's Hot Sauce lubricant. The reel uses
Quantum's TRU-Balance computerized design that assures each Catalyst PTi is
made evenly balanced to eliminate any wobble, thus a quiet and silky smooth
retrieve. During the last part of the test I did experience a little flaw
on this reel. The clutch bearing or the roller bearing would sometimes slip
backwards even when the ON/OFF switch is engaged to only retrieve one
direction. I was told by Quantum that since I received a very early
prototype that the reel I have wasn't fully representative of the final production
version. The production reels
that are due out sometime at the end of this year have corrected this
problem. When release we will test the final production reel and
update this section with ultimate results.

Packed
with features that give the Catalyst PTi a well balanced and smooth retrieve

Part
of the retrieving test is not just to see how smooth the reel is but also
consists of how structurally sound the entire frame and other parts such as the
bail, the bail return mechanism, the drag, and the line roller are when
retrieving and taking in your catch. As explained above the Nickel
Titanium bail is super. Strong and durable. After you cast and you
start to retrieve, the bail snaps back every time and the titanium bail wire
easily puts the fishing line onto the line roller, positioning all elements in
the right arrangement to start your retrieval
process. The TiMAG II system consists of a bail wire and a magnetic bail
return trigger that functions without any hiccups. The line roller plays
an important roll while retrieving. The Oversize Twist-Reducer line
roller, as the name suggests, reduces dreaded line twists.

The
ThinLine aluminum frame design shines and is very strong

Warranty:
Quantum's products are warranted for one year from the date of purchase against
defects in workmanship or materials.

Another
great benefit to owning a Quantum product is that they provide their users with
a "48 Hour Warranty Service" because their objective is to keep everyone
fishing. Two advantages to this service: 1) Quantum will either repair or
replace your product in 48 hours and ship it back to you with a free hat, 2) the
warranty on the product being sent back to you will again have a 1 year warranty
period from the date sent. Thus your reel will have a full warranty just
like it's new.

To
further add value to Quantum's Catalyst PTi, the TiMAG II system is backed by a
Lifetime Warranty.

Ratings:

Quantum Catalyst PTi
Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality

Well
built with a durable frame while utilizing innovative materials

9

Performance

An
overall good performer. This early prototype has a slight flaw that
has already been fixed for the production reels (stay tuned for an update)

When
an ultralight reel is called for, the CT10PTi is a good choice.
Fishing for trout, crappie, or other small game fish, this reel will do
the job

9

Total Score

8.75

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus
Minus

J
Durable Nickel Titanium bail

L
Prototype has slight flaw (an update
will be provided after the production reel is tested)

J
Solid construction

J Fine
drag

J
Performance Tuned parts

J
Smooth retrieve

Conclusion: Quantum's Performance Tuned
name has once again gone beyond the norm. The PT products not only look
great, but it also perform like a champ. The Catalyst PTi (CT10PTi) was
built from the strong foundation of its siblings in the larger size. With
the utilization of innovative materials such as the nickel titanium bail wire
and Quantum's Hot Sauce, the ultralight Catalyst PTi continues to exhibit great
performance. Quantum has effectively brought the advanced technology found
in their original award winning reels to a form factor that broadens the
applications in which you can utilize this family of reels to include smaller
game including energetic trout species. The new Catalyst (CT10PTi) will be a
great reel to consider based on features and price when it starts hitting stores
and e-tailor sites closer to the end of the year.